OUR PRIORITY IS TO MITIGATE THE LOT OF FARMERS: NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU

· INCREASE IN MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE SHOULD BE PROPORTIONATE TO RISING COSTS
· MAKES A STRONG CASE FOR BRINGING FARMERS POSSESSING 5 ACRE LAND UNDER NREGA
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14, 2017: "The Punjab Government guided by the vision of the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, is working towards mitigating the lot of farming community of the state so as to make them stand on their own feet."
Expressing the views here today while interacting with the media-persons after the first day of budget session, the Local Government Minister, Punjab, Mr.Navjot Singh Sidhu said that an expert committee under Mr.T.Haque has been constituted which would give its report to improve the plight of the farming sector of Punjab. The minister made a strong case for bringing farmers having land upto 5 acres under NREGA to make it a real success and in accordance with the provisions of which , such farmers should be given a fixed amount in lieu of working in their fields. The minister also demanded from the Union Government to effect an increase in the minimum support price (MSP) in proportion to the rising costs of agriculture.
Mr. Sidhu also divulged that the State Government is working towards permanent solution to the debt woes of the farmers and improve their condition which would make sure that they do not fall into the debt trap at all. He emphasized making licence mandatory for those providing loans, disbursing loans through cheques, farmers must not be made to pay amount double than that of the principal one of the loan availed by them, and the insurance of the crops.